A Reflection on a Most Uplifting Missionary Work Institute Lesson

Jessica & I went to institute in the evening. The lesson was a most inspiring one about missionary work. I learned that people are more receptive when you are 100% a missionary. My casual attempts have felt overbearing or not authentic. People tend get defensive when I approach people about the church, having "two" sides or an awkward attempt. A missionary perhaps "fake" side, which rarely comes out, and my personal example. I tend to be a listening type of person with an accepting & comforting humor. I try to be interested in people being a true uplifting friend.

The teacher shared an example from his mission. Brother Diaz was known as the missionary machine. The following is his backstory to how he became 100% a missionary: Brother Diaz was deathly ill, &  he covenanted that he will consecrate himself to missionary work. When he recovered, he got sick again.  He definitely thought that he would die. He covenanted again; health for missionary service. Since he did not keep his promise, his promised health was withdrawn. His second covenant & health was paralyzing, but he had to dedicate himself or he will die. He became known as a missionary machine, sharing the gospel with everyone tactfully. The fruits of his efforts are hundreds converted. Every relationship for Brother Diaz was Christ oriented, seeking to bring each other to him, and people recognized that.

I was 100% a missionary at one time. My foremost experience was when I flew home alone from my mission in Jamaica. I taught every person around me about Christ, and they recognized my devotion. I had at least ten people. I even missed a flight because I was eating Iunch with a returning missionary like me, but for the Jehovah Witness religion. One person asked for my contact information, but I was a fool, declining his request. 

I have dreams occasionally to be back in the mission field. I love helping people to learn about the true plan for man's salvation & nature of God, but I don't understand how to be a Brother Diaz. 

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